US20070153615A1 - Semiconductor memory device and method for operating a semiconductor memory device - Google Patents
Semiconductor memory device and method for operating a semiconductor memory device Download PDFInfo
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- US20070153615A1 US20070153615A1 US10/569,859 US56985904A US2007153615A1 US 20070153615 A1 US20070153615 A1 US 20070153615A1 US 56985904 A US56985904 A US 56985904A US 2007153615 A1 US2007153615 A1 US 2007153615A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/21—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements
- G11C11/34—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices
- G11C11/40—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices using transistors
- G11C11/401—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices using transistors forming cells needing refreshing or charge regeneration, i.e. dynamic cells
- G11C11/4063—Auxiliary circuits, e.g. for addressing, decoding, driving, writing, sensing or timing
- G11C11/407—Auxiliary circuits, e.g. for addressing, decoding, driving, writing, sensing or timing for memory cells of the field-effect type
- G11C11/4076—Timing circuits
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/21—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements
- G11C11/34—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices
- G11C11/40—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices using transistors
- G11C11/401—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices using transistors forming cells needing refreshing or charge regeneration, i.e. dynamic cells
- G11C11/4063—Auxiliary circuits, e.g. for addressing, decoding, driving, writing, sensing or timing
- G11C11/407—Auxiliary circuits, e.g. for addressing, decoding, driving, writing, sensing or timing for memory cells of the field-effect type
- G11C11/409—Read-write [R-W] circuits
- G11C11/4091—Sense or sense/refresh amplifiers, or associated sense circuitry, e.g. for coupled bit-line precharging, equalising or isolating
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/21—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements
- G11C11/34—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices
- G11C11/40—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices using transistors
- G11C11/401—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices using transistors forming cells needing refreshing or charge regeneration, i.e. dynamic cells
- G11C11/4063—Auxiliary circuits, e.g. for addressing, decoding, driving, writing, sensing or timing
- G11C11/407—Auxiliary circuits, e.g. for addressing, decoding, driving, writing, sensing or timing for memory cells of the field-effect type
- G11C11/409—Read-write [R-W] circuits
- G11C11/4096—Input/output [I/O] data management or control circuits, e.g. reading or writing circuits, I/O drivers or bit-line switches
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C7/00—Arrangements for writing information into, or reading information out from, a digital store
- G11C7/06—Sense amplifiers; Associated circuits, e.g. timing or triggering circuits
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C7/00—Arrangements for writing information into, or reading information out from, a digital store
- G11C7/10—Input/output [I/O] data interface arrangements, e.g. I/O data control circuits, I/O data buffers
- G11C7/1051—Data output circuits, e.g. read-out amplifiers, data output buffers, data output registers, data output level conversion circuits
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C7/00—Arrangements for writing information into, or reading information out from, a digital store
- G11C7/22—Read-write [R-W] timing or clocking circuits; Read-write [R-W] control signal generators or management
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C8/00—Arrangements for selecting an address in a digital store
- G11C8/12—Group selection circuits, e.g. for memory block selection, chip selection, array selection
Definitions
- the invention relates to method for operating a semiconductor memory and to a semiconductor memory device.
- ROM devices Read Only Memory
- RAM devices Random Access Memory or read-write memory, respectively.
- a RAM device is a memory for storing data under a predetermined address and for reading out the data under this address again later.
- the corresponding address can be input into the RAM device via so-called address pins or address input pins.
- a plurality of, e.g. 16, so-called data pins or data input/output pins (I/Os or inputs/outputs) are provided for the input and output of the data.
- an appropriate signal e.g. a read/write signal
- a write/read select pin it can be selected whether (at the moment) data are to be stored or to be read out. Since as many memory cells as possible are intended to be accommodated in a RAM device, one has been trying to realize same as simple as possible.
- the individual memory cells consist e.g.
- DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory
- the individual memory cells are—positioned side by side in a plurality of rows and columns—arranged in a rectangular matrix or a rectangular array for technological reasons.
- a plurality of, e.g., four—substantially rectangular—individual arrays may be provided in one single RAM device or chip (“multi-bank chip”) instead of one single array.
- ACT activate instruction
- a corresponding word line that is in particular assigned to a particular individual array (“memory bank”)—(and that is defined by the row address (“row address”) is first of all activated.
- a word line deactivate instruction e.g., a precharge instruction (PRE instruction) the corresponding word line is deactivated again, and the corresponding array (“memory bank”) is prepared for the next word line activate instruction (ACT).
- PRE instruction a precharge instruction
- ACT next word line activate instruction
- a particular time interval tRCD (so-called RAS-CAS delay) must, for instance, lie between the word line activate instruction (ACT instruction) and a corresponding read (or write) instruction (RD (or WT) instruction).
- the RAS-CAS delay results, for instance, from the time required by the sense amplifiers for amplifying the data supplied by the memory cells addressed by the word line.
- tRP row precharge time
- PRE instruction word line deactivate instruction
- RD read (or write) instruction
- ACT instruction word line activate instruction
- the corresponding memory device controller may—after the output of a corresponding word line activate instruction (ACT instruction) and of a corresponding read (or write) instruction (RD (or WT) instruction)—leave the respective word line first of all in an activated state (i.e. the corresponding word line deactivate instruction (PRE instruction) may first of all be inhibited).
- ACT instruction a corresponding word line activate instruction
- RD read (or write) instruction
- PRE instruction word line deactivate instruction
- the memory device controller (“memory controller”) may directly output a corresponding read (or write) instruction (RD (or WT) instruction) to the respective array (“memory bank”) and thus it may be achieved that the corresponding data are read out (or input) instantly—without a corresponding RAS-CAS delay tRCD occurring.
- RD read (or write) instruction
- the present invention provides a novel method for operating a semiconductor memory device, and a novel semiconductor memory device.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the structure of a semiconductor memory device with a plurality of arrays, and of a memory device controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic detail representation of the structure of a section of one of the arrays of the semiconductor memory device illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic detail representation of the structure of a partial section of the array section illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic timing diagram of signals used for controlling the arrays/sub-arrays illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 , and 3 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the structure of a semiconductor memory device 1 or semiconductor memory chip, respectively, and of a—central—memory device controller 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- RAM Random Access Memory
- DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory
- the address may be input in a plurality of, e.g., two, successive steps (e.g., first a row address—and possibly parts of a column address (and/or possibly further address parts, or parts thereof (cf. below))—and then the column address (or the remaining parts of the column address, and/or—only now—the above-mentioned further address parts (or the remaining parts thereof) (cf. below)), etc.).
- a corresponding control signal e.g., a read/write signal
- the memory device controller 5 By the applying of a corresponding control signal—e.g., a read/write signal—e.g., by the memory device controller 5 —it can be selected whether data are to be stored or to be read out.
- the data input into the semiconductor memory device 1 are, as will be explained in more detail in the following, stored in corresponding memory cells there, and are read out from the corresponding memory cells again later.
- Each memory cell consists, for instance, of few elements, in particular of only one single, correspondingly controlled capacitor, with the capacitance of which one bit each can be stored as charge.
- a particular number of memory cells are each arranged in a rectangular or square array (“memory bank”) 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d , so that—corresponding to the number of memory cells contained—e.g., 32 MBit, 64 MBit, 128 MBit, 256 MBit, etc. each can be stored in one array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d.
- memory bank rectangular or square array
- the semiconductor memory device 1 comprises a plurality of, e.g., four, memory cell arrays 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d (here: the memory banks 0 - 3 ) which are of substantially identical structure and are distributed evenly over the area of the device—and are controlled by the above-mentioned memory device controller 5 substantially independently of each other—, so that a total storage capacity of e.g. 128 MBit, 256 MBit, 512 MBit, or 1024 MBit (or 1 GBit) correspondingly results for the semiconductor memory device 1 .
- a total storage capacity e.g. 128 MBit, 256 MBit, 512 MBit, or 1024 MBit (or 1 GBit) correspondingly results for the semiconductor memory device 1 .
- the above-mentioned address (input into the semiconductor memory device 1 or the semiconductor device controller 5 , respectively) contains—as part of the above-mentioned further address parts—a corresponding number of (here e.g. two) bits (“array select bits” or “bank address bits”) serving to address the respectively desired array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d during the storing or reading out of data.
- array select bits or “bank address bits”
- each of the arrays 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d comprises a particular number of (e.g., between 10 and 100, in particular between 20 and 70, for instance, between 30 and 40, e.g., 32) sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d (“sub-banks” 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d ).
- the sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d are each of substantially identical structure, are of substantially rectangular design, and each include a particular number of memory cells that are each positioned side by side in a plurality of rows and columns.
- each of the sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , 10 c , 10 d a plurality of sense amplifiers are arranged, wherein the corresponding sense amplifiers (or, more exactly: the sense amplifiers positioned in the sense amplifier regions 10 b , 10 c arranged between two respective different sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d ) are assigned to two respective different sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d (namely the sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b or 8 c , 8 d , etc. directly adjacent to the corresponding sense amplifier regions 10 b , 10 c ).
- the above-mentioned address (input into the semiconductor memory device 1 or the memory device controller 5 , respectively) contains—other than with conventional semiconductor memory devices—as a further part of the above-mentioned further address parts—a corresponding number of (here e.g.
- sub-array select bits or “sub-bank address bits” serving to address, during the storing or reading out of data—within the arrays 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d specified by the “array select bits” or “bank address bits”—the respectively desired sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d or the respectively desired sub-bank 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d , respectively.
- each array includes an array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d (BC or “bank control”) which is separately assigned to the respective array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d and here is also substantially rectangular, and which is positioned adjacent to the above-mentioned decoding/data amplifier region 11 and a sub-array control region 7 a , 7 b , 7 c , 7 d (SBC or “sub-bank control”) in a corner region of the respective array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d —which will be explained in more detail in the following.
- BC array controller
- the sub-array control region 7 a , 7 b , 7 c , 7 d which is positioned adjacent to the above-mentioned sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d and the sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , 10 c , 10 d of an array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d and is substantially rectangular—comprises a plurality of sub-array controllers 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d (here e.g., between 10 and 100, in particular between 20 and 70, for instance, between 30 and 40, e.g., 32) which are each separately assigned to a particular one of the above-mentioned sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d of an array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d (and to
- Each of the sub-array controllers 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d is of substantially identical structure and of substantially rectangular design, and is positioned adjacent to the respective sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d that is separately assigned to the respective sub-array controllers 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d , and to the two sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , 10 c , 10 d respectively assigned thereto.
- a plurality of word lines 12 extend within each sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d (starting from the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) (in FIG. 2 , only one single word line, namely the word line WL, is illustrated for the sake of clearness).
- the number of word lines 12 provided per sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d may, for instance, correspond to the number of memory cell rows in the respective sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d (or e.g.,—for instance, in the case of the simultaneous reading out/storing of respectively several, e.g., 2, 4, or 8 bits—correspondingly to a fraction thereof (e.g., the half, a quarter, or an eighth)).
- the individual word lines 12 are—equidistantly—arranged in parallel to each other (and extend in parallel to the outer edge of the respective sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d ).
- a plurality of data lines 13 , 13 b extend—starting form the corresponding decoding/data amplifier region 11 of the respective array 3 a —perpendicularly to the word lines 12 and across the corresponding sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 b , 8 d (and corresponding sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , 10 c e.g. positioned therebetween) of the respective array 3 a (in FIG. 2 , only one single MDQ line, namely the MDQ line 13 a , is shown for the sake of clearness).
- the MDQ lines 13 a , 13 b , etc. are adapted to address any sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d contained in the respective array 3 a —irrespective of the respective address.
- the individual MDQ lines 13 a , 13 b are—equidistantly—arranged in parallel to each other.
- a plurality of further data lines 14 , 15 extend within each sense amplifier region 10 a , 10 b of the corresponding array 3 a —in parallel to the word lines 12 in the sub-arrays 8 a positioned adjacent to the sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , and transversely to the above-mentioned MDQ lines 13 a , 13 b (in FIG. 3 , only two such lines 14 , 15 are shown for the sake of clearness).
- the number of LDQ lines 14 , 15 provided per sense amplifier region 10 a , 10 b can typically be relatively small (e.g., 2 or 4).
- the length of an individual (or partial) line portion of the LDQ lines 14 , 15 may substantially amount to a particular fraction of the length of the respective sense amplifier region 10 a , 10 b , e.g., approx. to 1/M (e.g., 1/16 or 1/32) of the respective sense amplifier region length.
- the individual LDQ lines 14 , 15 of a particular sense amplifier region 10 a , 10 b are—equidistantly—arranged in parallel to each other.
- all the LDQ lines 14 , 15 positioned in a particular sense amplifier region 10 a , 10 b are connected via appropriate switches 16 a , 16 b (MDQ switch 16 a , 16 b ) (here: via transistors 16 a , 16 b that are controllable via appropriate control lines 17 a , 17 b ) to the MDQ lines 13 a , 13 b assigned to the corresponding sense amplifier region 10 a , 10 b (or the corresponding sub-array 8 a , respectively).
- the corresponding switch 16 a , 16 b is closed or open (or here: the corresponding transistor 16 a , 16 b used as a switch is—depending on the state of a control signal present at the corresponding control line 17 a , 17 b —in a conducting or a locked state), the corresponding LDQ line 14 , 15 is conductively connected with the MDQ line 13 a , 13 b assigned thereto, or electrically disconnected therefrom.
- a plurality of data or column select lines 18 extend—starting from the corresponding decoding/data amplifier region 11 of the respective array 3 a —across all sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d (and corresponding sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , 10 c positioned therebetween) of the respective array 3 a (in FIG. 2 , only one single CSL line, namely the CSL line 18 , is shown for the sake of clearness).
- the CSL lines 18 extend in parallel to the MDQ lines 13 a , 13 b and perpendicularly to the word lines 12 and the LDQ lines 14 , 15 .
- the individual CSL lines 18 are—equidistantly (and extending substantially over the entire region of the respective sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d or sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , 10 c )—arranged in parallel to each other.
- the number B of the CSL lines 18 may, for instance, correspond to the number of memory cell columns in the respective array 3 a or sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d (or e.g.,—for instance if a plurality of, e.g., 2, 4, or 8 bits are read out/stored simultaneously—correspondingly to a fraction thereof (e.g., the half, a quarter, or an eighth).
- The—central—memory device controller 5 (“memory controller”) may—as is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1 —be designed as a separate semiconductor device communicating with the DRAM semiconductor memory device 1 via external pins.
- the memory device controller 5 may, for instance, also be arranged on one and the same chip 1 as the above-mentioned memory cell arrays 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d (memory banks 0 - 3 ).
- ACT activate instruction
- a corresponding word line 12 or row of memory cells respectively, assigned to a particular sub-array 8 b , 8 c , 8 d , 8 d determined by the above-mentioned address (in particular the above-mentioned “sub-array select bits” or “sub-bank address bits”) of a particular array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d —also determined by the above-mentioned address (in particular the above-mentioned “array select bits” or “bank address bits”) (and also defined by the above-mentioned address, in particular the respective row address) is activated, or—alternatively—all word lines of the sub-array 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d defined by the “sub-array select bits” or “sub-bank address bits”,
- the memory device controller 5 sends, via a control line 4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 4 d assigned to the respective array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d to be addressed (or to its array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d , respectively) (or, alternatively, e.g.
- ACT signal word line or sub-array activate instruction signal
- a plurality of word lines 12 positioned in different sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d of one and the same array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d —or a plurality of different sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d of one and the same array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d can be placed in an activated state and—in parallel—be left in the activated state (so that, with one and the same array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d , a plurality of, e.g., more than 2, 4, 8, or 10, sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d —or corresponding word lines—are simultaneously in an activated state).
- a plurality of sense amplifiers are arranged in each of the sense amplifier regions 10 a , 10 b , 10 c , 10 d of the respective array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d , wherein the corresponding sense amplifiers (or, more exactly: the sense amplifiers arranged in the sense amplifier regions 10 b , 10 c positioned between two respective different sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d ) are assigned to two respective different sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d (namely the respective sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b or 8 c , 8 d , etc. directly adjacent to the corresponding sense amplifier region 10 b , 10 c ).
- word lines 12 are not activated—in parallel or simultaneously—which are assigned to two different sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b which, however, are adjacent to one and the same sense amplifier region 10 b , 10 c , or—in parallel or simultaneously—sub-arrays 8 a , 8 b adjacent to one and the same sense amplifier region 10 b , 10 c (but only respective word lines in at most every second sub-array 8 a , 8 c , here e.g., at most in 16 sub-arrays 8 a , 8 c , or at most every second sub-array 8 a , 8 c ).
- the respective array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d provided separately for each array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d and receiving the respective ACT instruction signal (or, alternatively: the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) initiates that the data values stored in the memory cells arranged in the sub-array 8 a , 8 b —defined by the above-mentioned “sub-array select bits” or “sub-bank address bits”—of the respective row—defined by the respective row address—are read out by the sense amplifiers of the respective sense amplifier region 10 a , 10 b assigned to the corresponding word line (“activated state” of the word line), or—alternatively—all the data values stored in all the memory cells of the sub-array 8 a , 8 b defined by the above
- this word line or this sub-array, respectively, is left in the activated state until an access is to be performed to a further word line of a further sub-array 8 a , 8 b (or to a further sub-array 8 a , 8 b ) which is adjacent to one and the same sense amplifier region 10 b , 10 c as the sub-array 8 a , 8 b of the—above-explained—activated word line (or the activated sub-array 8 a , 8 b ).
- the word line or the sub-array 8 a , 8 b may be left in the activated state if an access to the same word line or to a word line arranged in the same sub-array 8 a , 8 b is to be performed later, or to a word line which is indeed arranged in the same array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d as the activated word line or the activated sub-array 8 a , 8 b , but in a sub-array 8 a , 8 b that is not adjacent to one and the same sense amplifier region 10 b , 10 c as the activated sub-array 8 a , 8 b (or the sub-array 8 a , 8 b of the—above-explained—activated word line)—or if an access to a word line of another array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d is to be performed.
- the memory device controller 5 of the semiconductor memory device 1 does not send any corresponding word line or sub-array deactivate instruction signal (precharge or PRE instruction signal) characterizing the word line to be deactivated or the sub-array to be deactivated with a corresponding address.
- the memory device controller 5 sends, via a control line assigned to the respective array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d to be addressed (or its array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d , respectively) (or, alternatively, e.g.
- a corresponding read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal) (which—at the clock edge 22 which is directly following the clock edge 21 —is present in a stable manner at the corresponding control line (here e.g., a “RD8a” signal addressing the sub-array 8 a ).
- the above-mentioned “sub-array select bits” and/or the column address can be emitted by the memory device controller 5 (or, alternatively: the array or sub-array controller 6 a , 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) (or be read out from the above-mentioned memory device).
- the respective array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d provided separately for each array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d and receiving the respective RD (or WT) instruction signal (or, alternatively: the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) initiates that the MDQ switch(es) 16 a defined by the column address (or, alternatively, all the MDQ switches 16 a ) of the sense amplifier region 10 a defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits” (or of the sense amplifier region 10 a assigned to the sub-array 8 a defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits”) is/are closed or placed in a conductive state, i.e., is/are activated (e.g., by applying a
- the corresponding LDQ line(s) 16 is/are conductively connected with the assigned MDQ line(s) 13 a , 13 b (i.e., activated).
- the corresponding MDQ switch(es) 16 a By the—relatively early—activating of the corresponding MDQ switch(es) 16 a it is ensured that—even with relatively great signal delay times—the corresponding MDQ switch(es) 16 a is/are in the above-mentioned closed or conductive state in time—i.e., at the latest by the next clock CLK 3 (or at the next, positive clock edge 23 ) (cf. e.g., also the (first) change of state 31 of the MDQ switch 16 a illustrated in FIG. 4 ).
- the corresponding array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d (or, alternatively: the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) initiates that corresponding control signals are output at the corresponding CSL line(s) 18 which is/are exactly specified by the corresponding column address (cf. e.g., the change of state 41 of the corresponding signal illustrated in FIG.
- control signals resulting in that the sense amplifier(s) addressed thereby—and possibly by the row address buffered in the corresponding local memory—correspondingly output(s) the corresponding—previously read-out—data (or that the corresponding data are read into the corresponding memory cell(s)).
- the data output by the corresponding sense amplifier(s) are fed to the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 and—via the corresponding (closed—as has been explained above) MDQ switch(es) 16 a and the corresponding MDQ line(s)—transmitted to the above-mentioned decoding/data amplifier region 11 .
- the data (or the corresponding data signals, respectively) may possibly be further amplified and then be output at the corresponding data pin(s) of the semiconductor memory device 1 .
- a further sub-array (e.g., the sub-array 8 c )—which has already been activated by a corresponding ACT signal (as described above)—is to be accessed later, the memory device controller 5 directly (here: at a clock CLK 4 )—as results e.g. from FIG.
- RD or WT instruction signal which—at the corresponding clock edge 24 —is present in a stable manner at the corresponding control line
- the memory device controller 5 can emit the corresponding address, in particular the corresponding “array” and “sub-array select bits”, the row and column address, etc.
- the respective array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d provided separately for each array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d and receiving the respective RD (or WT) instruction signal (or, alternatively: the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) initiates that the MDQ switch(es) defined by the column address (or, alternatively, all the MDQ switches) of the sense amplifier region 10 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits” (or of the sense amplifier region 10 c assigned to the sub-array 8 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits”) is/are closed or placed in a conductive state, i.e., is/are activated (e.g., by applying a corresponding control signal to the column address (or, alternatively, all the MDQ switches) of the sense amplifier region 10 c defined by the “
- the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 is/are conductively connected with the assigned MDQ line(s) 13 a , 13 b (i.e. activated) (cf. e.g., also the change of state 33 of the corresponding MDQ switch illustrated in FIG. 4 ).
- the corresponding array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d again controlled by the corresponding array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d (or, alternatively: the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ), for instance, by applying corresponding control signals to the corresponding control lines 17 a connected to the MDQ switches 16 a to be deactivated) (cf. e.g., also the (second) change of state 32 of the corresponding MDQ switch 16 a illustrated in FIG. 4 ).
- the corresponding array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d (or, alternatively: the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) initiates that corresponding control signals are output at the corresponding CSL line(s) 18 which is/are exactly specified by the corresponding column address stored in the above-mentioned memory device (cf. e.g., the change of state 51 of the corresponding signal illustrated in FIG.
- control signals resulting in that the sense amplifier(s) addressed thereby—and possibly by the row address buffered in the corresponding local memory—correspondingly output(s) the corresponding—previously read-out—data (or that the corresponding data are read into the corresponding memory cell(s)).
- the data output by the corresponding sense amplifier(s) are fed to the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 and—via the corresponding (closed—as has been explained above) MDQ switch(es) and the corresponding MDQ line(s)—transmitted to the above-mentioned decoding/data amplifier region 11 .
- the data (or the corresponding data signals, respectively) may possibly be further amplified and then be output at the corresponding data pin(s) of the semiconductor memory device 1 .
- the memory device controller 5 directly (here: at a clock CLK 7 ) sends—as results e.g., from FIG. 4 —, via a control line assigned to the respective array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d to be addressed (or its array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d , respectively) (or, alternatively, e.g.
- a corresponding read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal) (which—at the corresponding clock edge 25 —is present in a stable manner at the corresponding control line) (here e.g., a “RD8c” signal which again addresses the sub-array 8 c (that has already been addressed last).
- the memory device controller 5 can emit the corresponding address, in particular the corresponding “array” and “sub-array select bits”, the row and column address, etc.
- the MDQ switch(es) defined by the column address (or, alternatively, all the MDQ switches) of the sense amplifier region 10 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits” (or the sense amplifier region 10 c assigned to the sub-array 8 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits”) has/have already been closed or been placed in a conductive state, i.e., activated, the corresponding array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d (or, alternatively: the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) can initiate directly—i.e., even during the same clock CLK 7 at which the corresponding read or write signal (here: the signal RD 8 c ′) was sent—that corresponding control signals are output at the corresponding CSL line(s) 18 that are exactly specified by the corresponding column address (cf
- control signals resulting in that the sense amplifier(s) addressed thereby—and by the row address—correspondingly output(s) the corresponding—previously read-out—data (or that the corresponding data are read into the corresponding memory cell(s)).
- control signals output in reaction to the corresponding read (RD) or write (WT) instruction signal can—correspondingly similar as described above with respect to the RD8a and the RD8c signal—also be output one clock later (here: at the clock CLK 8 ) (cf. e.g. the change of state 53 of the corresponding signal illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 4 ).
- the data output by the corresponding sense amplifier(s) are fed to the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 and—via the corresponding (closed—as has been explained above) MDQ switch(es) and the corresponding MDQ line(s)—transmitted to the above-mentioned decoding/data amplifier region 11 .
- the data (or the corresponding data signals, respectively) may possibly be further amplified and then be output at the corresponding data pin(s) of the semiconductor memory device 1 .
- the memory device controller 5 sends, via a control line 4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 4 d assigned to the respective array 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d to be addressed (or its array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d , respectively) (or, alternatively, e.g., to all the arrays 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d (or array controllers 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d ) of the semiconductor memory device 1 ), a corresponding word line or sub-array deactivate instruction signal (PRE or pre-charge signal) (and—e.g., simultaneously—the corresponding address, in particular the “sub-array select bits” or “sub-bank address bits” specifying the sub-array 8 a , 8 b to be deactivated (and
- PRE sub-array deactivate instruction signal
- the corresponding array controller 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d (or, alternatively, the corresponding sub-array controller 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) initiates that the corresponding word line (or the corresponding sub-array 8 a , 8 b ) is deactivated, so that the corresponding word line of the sub-array 8 a , 8 b or the sub-array 8 a , 8 b , respectively, adjacent to one and the same sense amplifier region 10 b , 10 c as the—now deactivated—sub-array 8 a , 8 b is prepared for the word line or sub-array activate instruction (ACT) following in the next clock and addressing the corresponding sub-array 8 a , 8 b.
- ACT word line or sub-array activate instruction
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to method for operating a semiconductor memory and to a semiconductor memory device.
- In the case of semiconductor memory devices one differentiates between so-called functional memory devices (e.g., PLAs, PALs, etc.), and so-called table memory devices, e.g., ROM devices (ROM=Read Only Memory) and RAM devices (RAM=Random Access Memory or read-write memory, respectively).
- A RAM device is a memory for storing data under a predetermined address and for reading out the data under this address again later.
- The corresponding address can be input into the RAM device via so-called address pins or address input pins. A plurality of, e.g. 16, so-called data pins or data input/output pins (I/Os or inputs/outputs) are provided for the input and output of the data. By applying an appropriate signal (e.g. a read/write signal) at a write/read select pin it can be selected whether (at the moment) data are to be stored or to be read out. Since as many memory cells as possible are intended to be accommodated in a RAM device, one has been trying to realize same as simple as possible. In the case of so-called SRAMs (SRAM=Static Random Access Memory), the individual memory cells consist e.g. of few, for instance 6, transistors, and in the case of so-called DRAMs (DRAM=Dynamic Random Access Memory) in general only of one single, correspondingly controlled capacitor with the capacitance of which one bit each can be stored as charge. This charge, however, remains for a short time only. Therefore, a so-called “refresh” must be performed regularly, e.g. approximately every 64 ms.
- In the case of memory devices, in particular DRAM devices, the individual memory cells are—positioned side by side in a plurality of rows and columns—arranged in a rectangular matrix or a rectangular array for technological reasons.
- In order to obtain a correspondingly high total storage capacity and/or to achieve a data read or write rate that is as high as possible, a plurality of, e.g., four—substantially rectangular—individual arrays (so-called “memory banks”) may be provided in one single RAM device or chip (“multi-bank chip”) instead of one single array.
- To perform a write or read access, a particular predetermined sequence of instructions has to be run through:
- For instance, by means of a word line activate instruction (activate instruction (ACT)) a corresponding word line—that is in particular assigned to a particular individual array (“memory bank”)—(and that is defined by the row address (“row address”) is first of all activated.
- Subsequently—by means of a corresponding read or write instruction (RD or WT instruction)—it is initiated that the corresponding data—which are then exactly specified by the corresponding column address—are correspondingly output (or read in).
- Next—by means of a word line deactivate instruction (e.g., a precharge instruction (PRE instruction) the corresponding word line is deactivated again, and the corresponding array (“memory bank”) is prepared for the next word line activate instruction (ACT).
- In order to ensure a faultless operation of the DRAM device, particular time conditions have to be observed.
- A particular time interval tRCD (so-called RAS-CAS delay) must, for instance, lie between the word line activate instruction (ACT instruction) and a corresponding read (or write) instruction (RD (or WT) instruction). The RAS-CAS delay results, for instance, from the time required by the sense amplifiers for amplifying the data supplied by the memory cells addressed by the word line.
- Correspondingly, a corresponding time interval tRP (so-called “row precharge time” delay) also must be observed between a word line deactivate instruction (PRE instruction) that follows the read (or write) instruction (RD (or WT) instruction) and a subsequent word line activate instruction (ACT instruction).
- By the—above-explained—providing of a plurality of independent arrays (“memory banks”) in one single DRAM device—for which corresponding word line activate and deactivate instructions, etc. are generated by a corresponding memory device controller (“memory controller”) independently of each other—, the delay times that result altogether for the device during the writing or reading of data can be reduced, and thus the performance of the DRAM device can be increased (for instance, since corresponding write or read accesses can be performed in parallel or overlapping in time, respectively, with a plurality of different arrays (“memory banks”)).
- In order to further increase the performance of a corresponding DRAM device, the corresponding memory device controller (“memory controller”) may—after the output of a corresponding word line activate instruction (ACT instruction) and of a corresponding read (or write) instruction (RD (or WT) instruction)—leave the respective word line first of all in an activated state (i.e. the corresponding word line deactivate instruction (PRE instruction) may first of all be inhibited).
- If then—which is, from a statistic point of view, the case very frequently—in the corresponding array (“memory bank”) (a) memory cell(s) is/are accessed next which is/are assigned to the same word line or row as the memory cell(s) that was/were accessed last, the output of a further word line activate instruction (ACT instruction) can be omitted.
- Instead, the memory device controller (“memory controller”) may directly output a corresponding read (or write) instruction (RD (or WT) instruction) to the respective array (“memory bank”) and thus it may be achieved that the corresponding data are read out (or input) instantly—without a corresponding RAS-CAS delay tRCD occurring.
- Only if—which is, from a statistic point of view, the case less frequently—in the corresponding array (“memory bank”) (a) memory cell(s) is/are to be accessed next which is/are assigned to a different word line or row than the memory cell(s) which was/were accessed last—, the corresponding—last used—word line is deactivated by the output of a corresponding word line deactivate instruction (PRE instruction), and then the—new—word line is activated (by the output of a corresponding, further word line activate instruction (ACT instruction)).
- The present invention provides a novel method for operating a semiconductor memory device, and a novel semiconductor memory device.
- In the following, the invention will be described by means of an embodiment and the enclosed drawing.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the structure of a semiconductor memory device with a plurality of arrays, and of a memory device controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic detail representation of the structure of a section of one of the arrays of the semiconductor memory device illustrated inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic detail representation of the structure of a partial section of the array section illustrated inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic timing diagram of signals used for controlling the arrays/sub-arrays illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2 , and 3. -
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the structure of asemiconductor memory device 1 or semiconductor memory chip, respectively, and of a—central—memory device controller 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. - The
semiconductor memory device 1 may, for instance, be a—CMOS-based—table memory device, e.g., a RAM memory device (RAM=Random Access Memory or read-write memory, respectively), in particular a DRAM memory device (DRAM=Dynamic Random Access Memory or dynamic read-write memory, respectively). - In the
semiconductor memory device 1—after the input of a corresponding address (e.g., by the memory device controller 5)—data can be stored under the respective address and read out under this address again later. - The address may be input in a plurality of, e.g., two, successive steps (e.g., first a row address—and possibly parts of a column address (and/or possibly further address parts, or parts thereof (cf. below))—and then the column address (or the remaining parts of the column address, and/or—only now—the above-mentioned further address parts (or the remaining parts thereof) (cf. below)), etc.).
- By the applying of a corresponding control signal (e.g., a read/write signal)—e.g., by the
memory device controller 5—it can be selected whether data are to be stored or to be read out. - The data input into the
semiconductor memory device 1 are, as will be explained in more detail in the following, stored in corresponding memory cells there, and are read out from the corresponding memory cells again later. - Each memory cell consists, for instance, of few elements, in particular of only one single, correspondingly controlled capacitor, with the capacitance of which one bit each can be stored as charge.
- As results from
FIG. 1 , a particular number of memory cells—each positioned side by side in a plurality of rows and columns—are each arranged in a rectangular or square array (“memory bank”) 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, so that—corresponding to the number of memory cells contained—e.g., 32 MBit, 64 MBit, 128 MBit, 256 MBit, etc. each can be stored in onearray - As is further illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thesemiconductor memory device 1 comprises a plurality of, e.g., four,memory cell arrays memory device controller 5 substantially independently of each other—, so that a total storage capacity of e.g. 128 MBit, 256 MBit, 512 MBit, or 1024 MBit (or 1 GBit) correspondingly results for thesemiconductor memory device 1. - By the providing of a plurality of substantially
independent arrays different arrays - The above-mentioned address (input into the
semiconductor memory device 1 or thesemiconductor device controller 5, respectively) contains—as part of the above-mentioned further address parts—a corresponding number of (here e.g. two) bits (“array select bits” or “bank address bits”) serving to address the respectively desiredarray - As will be explained in more detail in the following, and as is, for instance, illustrated in
FIG. 2 , each of thearrays sub-arrays - The
sub-arrays - Between two
respective sub-arrays sub-array 8 a and an adjacent—here also substantially rectangular—decoding/data amplifier region 11) there are positioned respective—here also substantially rectangular—sense amplifier regions - In each of the
sense amplifier regions sense amplifier regions different sub-arrays different sub-arrays sub-arrays sense amplifier regions - The above-mentioned address (input into the
semiconductor memory device 1 or thememory device controller 5, respectively) contains—other than with conventional semiconductor memory devices—as a further part of the above-mentioned further address parts—a corresponding number of (here e.g. four) bits RA<0:4> (“sub-array select bits” or “sub-bank address bits”) serving to address, during the storing or reading out of data—within thearrays sub-array sub-bank - By the providing of a plurality of substantially
independent sub-arrays different sub-arrays corresponding sub-arrays sense amplifier region sub-arrays sense amplifier region adjacent sub-arrays - As results from
FIGS. 1 and 2 , each array includes anarray controller respective array data amplifier region 11 and asub-array control region respective array - In accordance with
FIG. 2 , thesub-array control region sub-arrays sense amplifier regions array sub-array controllers sub-arrays array sense amplifier regions corresponding sub-array - Each of the
sub-array controllers respective sub-array respective sub-array controllers sense amplifier regions - As results from
FIG. 2 , a plurality ofword lines 12 extend within eachsub-array corresponding sub-array controller FIG. 2 , only one single word line, namely the word line WL, is illustrated for the sake of clearness). The number ofword lines 12 provided persub-array respective sub-array - The
individual word lines 12 are—equidistantly—arranged in parallel to each other (and extend in parallel to the outer edge of therespective sub-array - As results further from
FIG. 2 , a plurality ofdata lines 13, 13 b (lines MDQ<0:A−1>, with e.g., A=64) extend—starting form the corresponding decoding/data amplifier region 11 of therespective array 3 a—perpendicularly to theword lines 12 and across thecorresponding sub-arrays sense amplifier regions respective array 3 a (inFIG. 2 , only one single MDQ line, namely theMDQ line 13 a, is shown for the sake of clearness). - The
MDQ lines sub-array respective array 3 a—irrespective of the respective address. - The
individual MDQ lines - In accordance with
FIG. 3 , a plurality offurther data lines 14, 15 (LDQ lines 14, 15) extend within eachsense amplifier region corresponding array 3 a—in parallel to theword lines 12 in thesub-arrays 8 a positioned adjacent to thesense amplifier regions MDQ lines FIG. 3 , only twosuch lines - The number of
LDQ lines sense amplifier region sense amplifier region 10 a (line 15, etc.) and the number of further data lines LDQb provided in thesense amplifier region 10 b (line 14, etc.), etc. can typically be relatively small (e.g., 2 or 4). - The length of an individual (or partial) line portion of the LDQ lines 14, 15 may substantially amount to a particular fraction of the length of the respective
sense amplifier region - The
individual LDQ lines sense amplifier region - As results further from
FIG. 3 , all the LDQ lines 14, 15 positioned in a particularsense amplifier region appropriate switches transistors appropriate control lines sense amplifier region corresponding sub-array 8 a, respectively). - Depending on whether the corresponding
switch transistor corresponding control line LDQ line MDQ line - As results from
FIG. 2 , a plurality of data or column select lines 18 (CSL lines 18) extend—starting from the corresponding decoding/data amplifier region 11 of therespective array 3 a—across allsub-arrays sense amplifier regions respective array 3 a (inFIG. 2 , only one single CSL line, namely theCSL line 18, is shown for the sake of clearness). - The CSL lines 18 extend in parallel to the MDQ lines 13 a, 13 b and perpendicularly to the word lines 12 and the LDQ lines 14, 15. The individual CSL lines 18 are—equidistantly (and extending substantially over the entire region of the
respective sub-arrays sense amplifier regions - The number B of the CSL lines 18 may, for instance, correspond to the number of memory cell columns in the
respective array 3 a or sub-array 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d (or e.g.,—for instance if a plurality of, e.g., 2, 4, or 8 bits are read out/stored simultaneously—correspondingly to a fraction thereof (e.g., the half, a quarter, or an eighth). - In the present embodiment, B=2048
CSL lines 18 may, for instance, apply. - The—central—memory device controller 5 (“memory controller”) may—as is illustrated by way of example in
FIG. 1 —be designed as a separate semiconductor device communicating with the DRAMsemiconductor memory device 1 via external pins. - Alternatively, the
memory device controller 5 may, for instance, also be arranged on one and thesame chip 1 as the above-mentionedmemory cell arrays - In order to perform a write or read access, a particular, predetermined, specific sequence of instructions is performed in the embodiment illustrated here:
- First of all—as is, for instance, also illustrated in
FIG. 4 —by means of a word line or sub-array activate instruction (activate instruction (ACT)), acorresponding word line 12 or row of memory cells, respectively, assigned to aparticular sub-array particular array - This is, for instance, performed in that—as is illustrated in
FIG. 1 —thememory device controller 5 sends, via acontrol line respective array array controller arrays array controllers - The address—in particular the row address (and/or the column address, and/or the “array select bits” or “bank address bits”, and/or the “sub-array select bits” or “sub-bank address bits”)—is buffered in a local memory (positioned in or close to the
respective array sub-array controllers memory device controller 5 and is assigned thereto, can or must be omitted—as results from the explanations below). - By the fact that—as has already been explained above—an address is used that is enlarged vis-à-vis conventionally used addresses by the above-mentioned “sub-array select bits” or “sub-bank address bits”, in the present embodiment, by the emitting of a plurality of corresponding (successive) word line or sub-array activate instruction signals (ACT signals) in each array 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d (e.g., successively, in particular e.g. with successive clocks of the clock signal CLK), a plurality of word lines 12—positioned in different sub-arrays 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d of one and the same array 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d—or a plurality of different sub-arrays 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d of one and the same array 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d can be placed in an activated state and—in parallel—be left in the activated state (so that, with one and the same array 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, a plurality of, e.g., more than 2, 4, 8, or 10, sub-arrays 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d—or corresponding word lines—are simultaneously in an activated state).
- As has already been explained above, a plurality of sense amplifiers are arranged in each of the
sense amplifier regions respective array sense amplifier regions different sub-arrays different sub-arrays respective sub-arrays sense amplifier region - Therefore, it must be ensured (e.g., by the memory device controller 5) that word lines 12 are not activated—in parallel or simultaneously—which are assigned to two
different sub-arrays sense amplifier region sense amplifier region sub-arrays - In reaction to the receipt of the above-mentioned word line or sub-array activate instruction signal (ACT signal), the
respective array controller array sub-array controller sense amplifier region - As will be explained in more detail further below, this word line or this sub-array, respectively, is left in the activated state until an access is to be performed to a further word line of a
further sub-array further sub-array sense amplifier region - In other words, the word line or the sub-array 8 a, 8 b may be left in the activated state if an access to the same word line or to a word line arranged in the
same sub-array same array sense amplifier region array - As long as the word line or the sub-array 8 a, 8 b is left in the above-mentioned activated state, the
memory device controller 5 of thesemiconductor memory device 1 does not send any corresponding word line or sub-array deactivate instruction signal (precharge or PRE instruction signal) characterizing the word line to be deactivated or the sub-array to be deactivated with a corresponding address. - As results from
FIG. 4 , in the clock CLK2 which is directly following the clock CLK1 (or the positive clock edge 21) at which the above-mentioned word line or sub-array activate instruction signal (ACT signal) was sent (or was present in a stable manner), thememory device controller 5 sends, via a control line assigned to therespective array array controller arrays controllers clock edge 22 which is directly following theclock edge 21—is present in a stable manner at the corresponding control line (here e.g., a “RD8a” signal addressing the sub-array 8 a). - Together with the read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal), the above-mentioned “sub-array select bits” and/or the column address can be emitted by the memory device controller 5 (or, alternatively: the array or
sub-array controller - In reaction to the receipt of the above-mentioned read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal), the
respective array controller array sub-array controller sense amplifier region 10 a defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits” (or of thesense amplifier region 10 a assigned to the sub-array 8 a defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits”) is/are closed or placed in a conductive state, i.e., is/are activated (e.g., by applying a corresponding control signal to the corresponding control line(s) 17 a). - Thus, the corresponding LDQ line(s) 16 is/are conductively connected with the assigned MDQ line(s) 13 a, 13 b (i.e., activated).
- By the—relatively early—activating of the corresponding MDQ switch(es) 16 a it is ensured that—even with relatively great signal delay times—the corresponding MDQ switch(es) 16 a is/are in the above-mentioned closed or conductive state in time—i.e., at the latest by the next clock CLK3 (or at the next, positive clock edge 23) (cf. e.g., also the (first) change of
state 31 of the MDQ switch 16 a illustrated inFIG. 4 ). - If—from previous cycles—one or a plurality of MDQ switch(es) (differing from the above-mentioned—newly activated—MDQ switch(es) 16 a) should still be activated in the
corresponding array corresponding array controller sub-array controller - Next, in the clock CLK3 which is directly following the clock CLK2 (or the positive clock edge 22) at which the above-mentioned read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal) was sent (or was present in a stable manner), the
corresponding array controller sub-array controller state 41 of the corresponding signal illustrated inFIG. 4 ), said control signals resulting in that the sense amplifier(s) addressed thereby—and possibly by the row address buffered in the corresponding local memory—correspondingly output(s) the corresponding—previously read-out—data (or that the corresponding data are read into the corresponding memory cell(s)). - The data output by the corresponding sense amplifier(s) are fed to the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 and—via the corresponding (closed—as has been explained above) MDQ switch(es) 16 a and the corresponding MDQ line(s)—transmitted to the above-mentioned decoding/
data amplifier region 11. There, the data (or the corresponding data signals, respectively) may possibly be further amplified and then be output at the corresponding data pin(s) of thesemiconductor memory device 1. - If a further sub-array (e.g., the
sub-array 8 c)—which has already been activated by a corresponding ACT signal (as described above)—is to be accessed later, thememory device controller 5 directly (here: at a clock CLK4)—as results e.g. fromFIG. 4 —sends, via a control line assigned to therespective array array controller arrays controllers corresponding clock edge 24—is present in a stable manner at the corresponding control line) (here e.g., a “RD8c” signal addressing thesub-array 8 c). - Together with the read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal), the
memory device controller 5 can emit the corresponding address, in particular the corresponding “array” and “sub-array select bits”, the row and column address, etc. - In reaction to the receipt of the above-mentioned read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal), the
respective array controller array sub-array controller sense amplifier region 10 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits” (or of thesense amplifier region 10 c assigned to thesub-array 8 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits”) is/are closed or placed in a conductive state, i.e., is/are activated (e.g., by applying a corresponding control signal to the corresponding control line(s)). - Thus, the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 is/are conductively connected with the assigned MDQ line(s) 13 a, 13 b (i.e. activated) (cf. e.g., also the change of
state 33 of the corresponding MDQ switch illustrated inFIG. 4 ). - If—from previous cycles—one or a plurality of MDQ switch(es) (differing from the above-mentioned—newly activated—MDQ switch(es)) should still be activated in the
corresponding array corresponding array controller sub-array controller corresponding control lines 17 a connected to the MDQ switches 16 a to be deactivated) (cf. e.g., also the (second) change ofstate 32 of the corresponding MDQ switch 16 a illustrated inFIG. 4 ). - Next, in the clock CLK5 which is directly following the clock CLK4 (or the positive clock edge 24) at which the above-mentioned read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal) was sent (or was present in a stable manner), the
corresponding array controller sub-array controller state 51 of the corresponding signal illustrated inFIG. 4 ), said control signals resulting in that the sense amplifier(s) addressed thereby—and possibly by the row address buffered in the corresponding local memory—correspondingly output(s) the corresponding—previously read-out—data (or that the corresponding data are read into the corresponding memory cell(s)). - The data output by the corresponding sense amplifier(s) are fed to the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 and—via the corresponding (closed—as has been explained above) MDQ switch(es) and the corresponding MDQ line(s)—transmitted to the above-mentioned decoding/
data amplifier region 11. There, the data (or the corresponding data signals, respectively) may possibly be further amplified and then be output at the corresponding data pin(s) of thesemiconductor memory device 1. - If—without another sub-array having been accessed in the
same array 3 a in which thesub-array 8 c is positioned which has been accessed last—the sub-array 8 c which has been accessed last is to be accessed again, thememory device controller 5 directly (here: at a clock CLK7) sends—as results e.g., fromFIG. 4 —, via a control line assigned to therespective array array controller arrays array controllers corresponding clock edge 25—is present in a stable manner at the corresponding control line) (here e.g., a “RD8c” signal which again addresses thesub-array 8 c (that has already been addressed last). - Together with the read or write instruction signal (RD or WT instruction signal), the
memory device controller 5 can emit the corresponding address, in particular the corresponding “array” and “sub-array select bits”, the row and column address, etc. - Since—from the previous access—the MDQ switch(es) defined by the column address (or, alternatively, all the MDQ switches) of the
sense amplifier region 10 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits” (or thesense amplifier region 10 c assigned to thesub-array 8 c defined by the “sub-array select bits” or the “sub-bank address bits”) has/have already been closed or been placed in a conductive state, i.e., activated, thecorresponding array controller sub-array controller state 52 of the corresponding signal illustrated inFIG. 4 ), said control signals resulting in that the sense amplifier(s) addressed thereby—and by the row address—correspondingly output(s) the corresponding—previously read-out—data (or that the corresponding data are read into the corresponding memory cell(s)). - Alternatively, the control signals output in reaction to the corresponding read (RD) or write (WT) instruction signal (here: the RD8c′ signal) can—correspondingly similar as described above with respect to the RD8a and the RD8c signal—also be output one clock later (here: at the clock CLK8) (cf. e.g. the change of
state 53 of the corresponding signal illustrated in dashed lines inFIG. 4 ). The result of this is that the sense amplifier(s) addressed thereby correspondingly output(s) the corresponding—previously read-out—data one clock later than previously described (or that the corresponding data are read into the corresponding memory cell(s) one clock later). - The data output by the corresponding sense amplifier(s) are fed to the corresponding LDQ line(s) 15 and—via the corresponding (closed—as has been explained above) MDQ switch(es) and the corresponding MDQ line(s)—transmitted to the above-mentioned decoding/
data amplifier region 11. There, the data (or the corresponding data signals, respectively) may possibly be further amplified and then be output at the corresponding data pin(s) of thesemiconductor memory device 1. - Only if an access to a word line of a sub-array 8 a, 8 b or to a sub-array 8 a, 8 b, respectively, is to be performed which is adjacent to one and the same
sense amplifier region - This is, for instance, effected in that—as is illustrated in
FIG. 1 —thememory device controller 5 sends, via acontrol line respective array array controller arrays array controllers corresponding array - In reaction to the receipt of the corresponding word line or sub-array deactivate instruction signal (PRE signal), the
corresponding array controller sub-array controller corresponding sub-array sense amplifier region corresponding sub-array
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DE10339665A DE10339665B3 (en) | 2003-08-28 | 2003-08-28 | Semiconductor memory device operating method, by leaving active the cells in sub-array if access is to be made to further memory cells in same memory cell array |
DE10339665.9 | 2003-08-28 | ||
PCT/EP2004/051433 WO2005024837A1 (en) | 2003-08-28 | 2004-07-09 | Semiconductor memory component and method for operating said component |
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CN112151095A (en) * | 2019-06-26 | 2020-12-29 | 北京知存科技有限公司 | Storage and calculation integrated chip and storage unit array structure |
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KR20060057619A (en) | 2006-05-26 |
WO2005024837A1 (en) | 2005-03-17 |
DE10339665B3 (en) | 2005-01-13 |
US7420867B2 (en) | 2008-09-02 |
CN1842875A (en) | 2006-10-04 |
JP2007504577A (en) | 2007-03-01 |
EP1658616A1 (en) | 2006-05-24 |
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